In the Finnmarksløpet, the most important achievements are not always about speed and rankings. Sometimes, they are about caring for the dogs, showing respect for fellow competitors, and being willing to help others when conditions become challenging.
For this reason, Finnmarksløpet and the Trasti & Trine Forkprint Foundation are establishing a new participant award: Løpshjerteprisen. Beginning with Finnmarksløpet 2027, the award will be presented in the FL-1200 race to a musher who distinguishes themselves throughout the race as a role model for the sport. The winner will receive a cash prize of NOK 15,000, funded by the Trasti & Trine Forkprint Foundation.
Over the years, we have seen many examples of mushers who stop to help others, take exceptional care of their dogs when conditions are tough, or contribute to the positive atmosphere at the checkpoints. These are actions that rarely place at the top of the results sheet, yet they help define what long-distance dog sledding is truly about.
– Finnmarksløpet is about far more than results. Through Løpshjerteprisen, we want to highlight the people who put the dogs first, care for the community, and remind us of the values that matter most in our sport, says Martin Pedersen, Managing Director of Finnmarksløpet.
The partnership with the Trasti & Trine Forkprint Foundation stems from a shared desire to recognize people who make a positive difference. The foundation was established to help build strong local communities, protect nature, and support initiatives that create lasting value for both people and animals. Through Løpshjerteprisen, the foundation seeks to acknowledge athletes who demonstrate care, responsibility, and genuine sportsmanship, even when they are pushed to their limits.
– Belonging comes with responsibility. When you are part of a sport, a community, or a place, it is not only about what you gain from it. It is also about what you give back. Finnmarksløpet is a great example of this. Here, people, dogs, and nature come together as a community. Løpshjerteprisen highlights those who take responsibility for that community through their actions along the way. This aligns closely with the purpose of the Trasti & Trine Forkprint Foundation, which is why supporting this award was a natural initiative for us, says Rikki Nielsen, Managing Director of Trasti & Trine.
Løpshjerteprisen is intended as a reminder that long-distance dog sledding is built on more than competition. Trust between dog and musher, respect for fellow participants, and care for the dogs have been fundamental values of Finnmarksløpet since its beginning, and they will continue to play a central role in the years ahead.
